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Short Shrift

Thank you, Father, for hearing me and sharing in my pain the only one bar whom you serve who offers no disdain. From Mansfield's pits to the Western front the stories I could tell legless, blinded, gassed and bombed my mates who fought and fell. Sent to fight against my will never done nothing bad this khaki's for a fighting man not a simple miner's lad. Day in, day out with no relief the onslaught never ceased until the day I said 'no more' took off, and headed east. Stupid, looking back on it the fear that made me run from a fate that maybe I'd have missed I'll see at the rising sun. Tell the lads who'll send me off I bear them no ill will whether Frenchie, Fritz or Tommy boy a kill is just a kill. At least I'll miss the sights of all the rest they'll surely send just hope by Christmas, like they said this bloody mess all ends. Tell family I'm sorry forgive me, hope they might for all I done was cut and run and this end just ain't right. I want my Mum June 28th 2015 for competition 'Short shrift' , sponsored by John Lawless

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Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 7/23/2015 1:36:00 AM

Congrats on ur wonderful winning write Viv!

Viv Wigley
Date: 7/23/2015 1:44:00 AM

Thanks,Upma, a pleasant surprise, Viv x

Skat A

Date: 7/23/2015 12:14:00 AM

Congrats on your SHORT SHRIFT poem...SKAT

Viv Wigley
Date: 7/23/2015 12:48:00 AM

Thanks, Skat, surprised the hell out of me, I can tell you. Viv x

Robert Lindley

Date: 7/22/2015 8:37:00 PM

My friend, this is an epic write in my book. I see it placed first in a contest. Big congrats on that well deserved win. A7..

Viv Wigley
Date: 7/22/2015 9:04:00 PM

Many thanks, Robert. This was one of those competitions that really got under my skin, and, looking at the other entries, I wasn't alone. Regards, Viv

Lycia Harding

Date: 7/22/2015 6:44:00 PM

Excellent! So lyrical and gritty. Congrats on your win, Mr. Viv. xoxo

Viv Wigley
Date: 7/22/2015 8:56:00 PM

Thanks, Lycia, very kind. A great contest. Love, Viv x

Eve Roper

Date: 7/22/2015 6:09:00 PM

Viv, back to congratulate you on your wonderful win. Hugs Eve

Viv Wigley
Date: 7/22/2015 8:55:00 PM

Thanks muchly, Eve, interesting that we both did different takes on the effects of combat- I love your work. Well done. Viv x

Jan Allison

Date: 7/22/2015 5:49:00 PM

inspirational write Mr Viv many congrats on your win:-) Hugs Jan xx7

Viv Wigley
Date: 7/22/2015 8:53:00 PM

Thanks, Jan, to be honest I'm surprised, given the competition. I'm going to have to go and fix myself a Lucozade spritzer and calm down. Viv x

John Lawless

Date: 7/22/2015 5:41:00 PM

Viv, This entry covered both the old and new meanings of the phrase "short shrift". A very troubling read as it exposes the darker side of "heroism". I would dare say that no one wanted to be in any of those foxholes, jungles, or deserts. Thanks for entering this harshly emotional poem in the contest.

Viv Wigley
Date: 7/22/2015 8:51:00 PM

Thank you John, I'm honoured and, after reading the other entries, surprised- your topic needed much thought and gave good grist to the mill for the 'Soupers' who have produced excellent work in response. And thanks for taking the time to give your thoughts on each entry, I find it both interesting and educational. Thanks again. Regards, Viv

Eve Roper

Date: 7/18/2015 4:32:00 PM

Wonderful write, Viv, your talent is just outstanding a 7 Hugs eve

Viv Wigley
Date: 7/19/2015 12:11:00 AM

You're very kind, Eve. I think that with some subjects that one feels strongly about, the writing is a lot easier. I toured the Battlefields of the Somme last year and it made a huge impression on me. Especially standing at the gravesides of those who were shot at dawn and listening to their stories. Viv x

Duke Beaufort

Date: 7/2/2015 7:12:00 AM

This just makes me think that one day we might have peace (I doubt it), but at least we have the voices of poets exploring the foolishness of our temporary build. You are a very talented poet with such a variety of voices. I am in awe. my friend. I don't know how you do it, but am thankful for the art and thinking you have brought into my life today.

Viv Wigley
Date: 7/2/2015 8:47:00 AM

Thanks, Duke, you're very kind. We have a virtual army of wordsmiths on this site who similarly cry and shout. As long as someone listens and thinks, the work is not in vain. Regards, Viv

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 7/2/2015 12:25:00 AM

good luck in the contest *luv, p.d.

Viv Wigley
Date: 7/2/2015 12:54:00 AM

Thanks for dropping by, p.d - have a good July 4th. Viv x

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 6/30/2015 7:46:00 PM

What an inspirational read, inspiration to elevate those who read it! A real winner!7

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/30/2015 8:52:00 PM

Thanks, Connie, appreciate you stopping by. Viv x

Constance La France

Date: 6/30/2015 10:09:00 AM

Viv, this is outstanding, 10 and that last line made me gasp a breath and thanks for visiting my poem, the old fat cat, I wrote a poem about my kitten for the beloved pet contest

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/30/2015 1:58:00 PM

Thanks BW, a tricky topic from John this time. Been to see your kitty. Very cute. Got some minor scratches, but I'm fine. Viv x

Carrie Richards

Date: 6/30/2015 9:30:00 AM

This is a crying out, a moving poem to read, ....and that last line is so perfectly dramatic. ...a perfect last line !!

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/30/2015 10:06:00 AM

So often just mere boys. Thanks for your appreciation, Carrie. Viv x

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 6/28/2015 8:20:00 PM

G'day Viv... a great insight of the individual Viv and how this horror must have affected thousands as they waited their turn to join what they witnessed each day. Eventually they must crack - good luck Viv - Lindsay

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/28/2015 10:47:00 PM

Thanks, Lindsay. A sobering subject. Regards, Viv

Frederic Parker

Date: 6/28/2015 4:37:00 PM

My generation was the last one in my country to be drafted, I can relate to this poem, many in my generation fled to Canada, we held them no ill will, some did, most didn't..every man had to follow his conscience.

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/28/2015 10:47:00 PM

Yes, Frederic, one has to admire those who went by the courage of their convictions, often paying the ultimate price. Thanks for dropping by. Regards, Viv

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/28/2015 2:33:00 PM

awww, viv. This is really nice. I love that last little part. It said a lot! For me, this is a WINNER

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/28/2015 10:45:00 PM

Thanks, Andrea, appreciate it. Viv x

Julia Ward

Date: 6/28/2015 8:05:00 AM

I enjoyed that! Good luck for the contest, Viv. Julia, xx

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/28/2015 10:20:00 AM

Thanks, Julia. x

Paul Callus

Date: 6/28/2015 6:14:00 AM

Ideally no wars, no soldiers, but we have to be realistic! Me, personally, am not cut out to be a soldier...I even feel sorry for a tiny ant!! If it came to self defence, perhaps then the mind would react differently. #7 // paul

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/28/2015 10:21:00 AM

A good answer, Paul- if it was easy for all of us, I fear there'd be nobody left on the planet. Regards, Viv

Richard D Seal

Date: 6/28/2015 5:04:00 AM

Hi Viv, Not everybody is cut out to be a soldier, it's best left to the professionals, though even they suffer. We can never hail the bravery of those ordinary men and women asked to defend our freedom enough. Take care, Richard

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/28/2015 10:25:00 AM

I lifelong friend of mine's father, who wouldn't say boo to a goose, never spoke of WWII. Only after he died, and we got to see his family album, did we see photos taken by him from the turret of his tank in the African desert campaign. He destroyed several tanks, and knew the fate that the occupants had met. And that is why he never talked about it. Regards, Viv

Peter Lewis Holmes

Date: 6/28/2015 4:20:00 AM

I think a fair number were shot for desertion in both wars...now (thankfully) we'd call it PTSD .....how times change!....and thanks for the comment Viv....Peter.

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/28/2015 10:27:00 AM

My tour of the battlefields of the Somme bought us to the graves of some who were shot at dawn. There was much debate among our group, which annoyed me, since unless you've been there, what would one do personally? Tragic, and pointless. Regards, Viv

Njeri Hunjeri

Date: 6/28/2015 4:19:00 AM

This is deep. What the war can make us, have made us and what we've become.everybody gets affected; the players and the aaudience. Good day Viv.#7

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/28/2015 10:28:00 AM

Very true, njeri. Pray that we never get de-sensitized. Viv x

Afolabi Muideen

Date: 6/28/2015 3:57:00 AM

What a stunning piece and excellent with the form, make friend despite the run is a good ideal. Good luck in the contest...........7!............A.M.

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/28/2015 4:03:00 AM

Thanks, Afolabi. Regards, Viv

Kp Nunez

Date: 6/28/2015 2:23:00 AM

I see now your style, Viv. You write with deep meaning yet tells it lightly...tries to minimize the pathos. Loved the ending too. This is why we question the necessity of war. Too many lives sacrificed. A 7 and hope that this places high in the winners' list. :-)

Viv Wigley
Date: 6/28/2015 2:42:00 AM

Thanks, Kim. I visited the battlefields of the Westerrn front last year, walked in the trenches, visited the cemeteries and stood at the Menin gate for the last post. The visit left a deep impression on me. Not sure that I managed to take it all in, so I'm going back next year. Viv x